tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57206673998504864532015-01-19T21:57:20.967-08:00This Is My BodyKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-24691902753162991832014-07-17T18:20:00.002-07:002014-07-17T18:20:46.628-07:00REVIEW BY GRAHAM DOWN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5720667399850486453" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGTWS6h4SFU/U8h2T_QrPwI/AAAAAAAADL0/o6hu0IXBEB4/s1600/!thisismybodycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGTWS6h4SFU/U8h2T_QrPwI/AAAAAAAADL0/o6hu0IXBEB4/s1600/!thisismybodycover.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I think that this is the kind of book that someone might say changed their life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It starts out as a history of God's temple, through the old testament, and talks about the significance of the tabernacle, and the ark of the covenant, and the High Priests, and sacrifice. The book goes into great detail about the history of all these things, and why they're important. It also makes reference to a lot of Old Testament prophecy about the coming of Jesus.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">After this, the book shifts gear as it goes into the New Testament. It talks about all the things Jesus said about the Church, how He meticulously spells out how the church should be, what it is, and how it should behave. Then, on to Paul and the other Apostles, talking about how to behave in the church.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The bottom line of all this, is that Jesus very clearly and specifically spelt out what the New Testament church should look like, and that the church of Acts was exactly what He said it should be. Somewhere along the way, we've lost that, and the church has become a business, and our attention has been focused on raising money and attracting and retaining members.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There's a lot to digest here, and I think it's going to take much careful and prayerful thought on my part to make sense of it all. I think that this is a book that anybody who considers themselves a leader in the church should read, as well as anybody who says they're disillusioned with the church. I particularly enjoyed this one particular quote, which I'm going to paraphrase:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Most Americans who are leaving the church today, are doing so not because they have lost their faith, but in order to KEEP their faith."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The thing is, I really enjoy Liturgy. Maybe that says something about my priorities as a Christian, but to me, Liturgy makes me feel like I'm part of a centuries old tradition, part of something bigger than myself. I don't know if Keith Giles is saying that we should completely scrap all that. Sometimes he seems to be saying so, but at other times he seems to be saying that these things are still as important and relevant today.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Another thing that irritated me, particularly early on, is how the author quotes certain passages from scripture, and then begins his explanation by saying things like "Clearly, this means that..." This frustrates me because I don't think anybody can say things like that, particularly since I recognize some of those passages as among the most controversial and hotly debated passages in the Bible, and everyone has their own interpretations of them.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Still, I honestly think that anybody who has an opinion about the Christian Church (which, let's face it, are plenty of Christians and non-Christians alike) should read this book. It's free, and you can get it from the author's website at</span><a href="http://subversive1.blogspot.com/p/my-books-print-and-ebook.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">http://subversive1.blogspot.com/p/my-...</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">You'll be glad you did, although many of the thoughts presented will challenge and frighten you.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/335094231">READ ORIGINAL REVIEW HERE&gt;</a></span>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-21506501752903041802012-11-27T21:58:00.000-08:002012-11-27T21:58:16.514-08:00JOHN WIMBER: "WHAT GOD WANTS"<br /><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17.25pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What God wants is a living body where the Holy Spirit is free to operate and the body is ordered in such a manner that it can accomplish much. This body is quite complex, because the process of evangelism and discipleship is an involved one. A key, though, is that God’s order—not our own—has to be established. Sometimes, He tips over our order so He can establish His.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">— John Wimber</span></span></div>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-60518408118212671452012-08-04T22:20:00.000-07:002012-08-04T22:20:21.746-07:00REVIEW: Anthony Mathenia<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Keith Giles adds his voice to the growing number of those who identify as Christians, but have objections to how churches operate in today's society.</span><br /><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></em><br /><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">This Is My Body: Ekklesia as God Intended</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;calls for a return to what Giles refers to as a 'New Testament Christianity' and he repeatedly draws attention to Bible passages which describe a kind of church that would be foreign to many today. He bluntly writes, "I believe it's time the Church went out of business."&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The book envisions a church that does not operate as a business enterprise with a 'CEO leadership' at the helm. Rather, Giles calls for a body of believers where all are empowered to act as ordained ministers in service to one another and society.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">This Is My Body</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, Giles provides a well researched basis and personal experience from which he draws his observations in a conversational easy-to-read manner.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The book is worth a read, especially for those who have fallen out of love with church.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-87508748375438581222012-03-15T06:21:00.000-07:002012-03-15T06:21:00.808-07:00REVIEW BY ROSS RHODE<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0paenA-zKGQ/T2D6DT2eDhI/AAAAAAAABec/jJlxoozZq-k/s1600/!ROSS_ROHDE.jpg"><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b9AKNvdisk/T2D9Ipb1zNI/AAAAAAAABek/-8Jh9z0bztQ/s1600/!ROSS_ROHDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5b9AKNvdisk/T2D9Ipb1zNI/AAAAAAAABek/-8Jh9z0bztQ/s320/!ROSS_ROHDE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So often when one reads about the Church nowadays we end up with a work that doesn’t really question the status quo. The assumption is that this is what we do, and therefore it is pretty much how it ought to be. Then we get a slightly new twist on some cool iteration of the status quo, perhaps a change in the standard order of service or a new trendy way of doing worship and we are done.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For anyone who is aware of how Jesus actually designed His Church, as described in the New Testament, what the Church was like in the first few centuries, how the church has changed through 2,000 years of history compared to how it is today, the typical analysis leaves a whole herd of elephants standing in the room. Keith Giles in This Is My Body: Ekklesia as God Intended graciously and passionately takes us on an elephant hunt.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus designed His Church for a purpose, and the purpose was not looking in the mirror at itself and admiring its own beauty. Nor was it to be insecure about itself finding every flaw. It was to be His people on mission with Him to extend His Kingdom. All the while it was to be His loving bride, the receptor of his loving affection and the bride who loved him back. There was a design and there was a purpose.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Church has strayed away from her God given design and she has become distracted from her purpose. When God’s people Israel strayed away from their design and their purpose God sent prophets to call them back to what they were really supposed to be and how they were really supposed to live. Keith is doing the same for the Church today. Keith told me recently that he almost titled this book something like Jesus Called and He Wants His Church Back. He decided that title might drive away the very people who needed to read it so he refrained. But I do think it’s about time someone told us Jesus wants His Church back.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keith is not angry. He is not trying to merely poke holes and express pet peeves. Nor is he the prophet of doom shouting on a street corner in a tin foil hat. Instead his is that wise yet passionate voice; the voice of Jimmy Stewart speaking to the Senate in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We may not necessarily want to hear it but know when we do we are listening to solid wisdom and truth. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you were an athlete in training for the Olympics what kind of coach would you want to have? Would you want a coach that constantly praises you and tells you whatever you do is just fine? Or, would you want a coach that while being encouraging, takes you back to the fundamentals, teaching you step by step how to excel? Honestly, some of us just want to be praised and don’t what their status quo questioned. If you are that person, this is not the book for you. Others of us, though, long to learn how to be the bride that Jesus deserves. They long to be with Him as he goes about His world setting things right. And they long to be the bride He lovingly describes, to be on mission with Him as He designed it. If that expresses your heart, you have found your book.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One last thing; Keith is an excellent writer. His book is a pleasure to read. I found myself wanting to post quote after quote on Twitter and Facebook. I quickly realized I was republishing Keith’s book a Twitter snippet at a time, so I tried to restrain myself, not completely successfully. You are going to find a lot of gems in this book; enjoy the search and recommend it to your friends.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Is My Body: Ekklesia As God Intended is Keith’s work of love. He is so passionate about his message that he has made the book free to anyone who wants it. If you want a free e-book version you can download it <a href="http://mybody.16s.me/">here</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you want a paper version you can hold in your hands you can order it <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/elysiansky">here&gt;</a> along with Keith’s other books.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Do you think it is right to question the status quo of the Church we’ve always known?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Do you want to hear what Jimmy Stewart has to say at the town hall meeting or are you content with the status quo?</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Do you sense that Jesus wants His Church back?</span></div><br />**<br /><br />Ross Rohde is the author of Viral Jesus. He and his wife are actively cultivating Jesus Communities in the Bay Area. He blogs at <a href="http://www.thejesusvirus.org/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.thejesusvirus.org/</span></a>.<br /><br />Meet Ross Rohde, Keith Giles, Neil Cole, Scott Underwood, Ken Eastburn, Bob Sears, Bill Faris and many other Organic Church Practitioners at Momentum 2012 on March&nbsp;30 &amp; 31, 2012.<br />Find out more and <a href="http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1067136" target="_blank">register today&gt;</a><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><br />Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-48813635858888283902012-03-12T18:00:00.002-07:002012-03-12T18:00:25.814-07:00REVIEW FROM THE MIDDLE EAST<br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Dear Mr Giles,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Wow.&nbsp; I was on an "exam" night for my English classes [country name removed], and was able to read your book during their test taking.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Wow.&nbsp;Thank you for the words.&nbsp; I have been re-reading "Reimagining Church" from Viola, and had forgotten I had your book on my kindle.&nbsp; Right now we have begun to help a small house group in our country.&nbsp; The large "institutional" group is not only an extreme example of institutional, but also is the "legal" authority for the country.&nbsp; This tends to extreme control and excess.&nbsp; This group started not as a "leaving" but as a group from another country that moved here and started something new.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">As someone who has worked for the past few years in the institutional church here in [country name removed] and in [another middle eastern nation], I have become the "resident" theologian of the group.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">As we began to get involved in leadership, I have had thoughts of exploring ordination (I'm a youth worker for the past 20 years) and was trying to understand how to best serve this community of people.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Having read your book and Viola's book, I am at peace for the first time in a couple of weeks.&nbsp; No longer do I feel the burden to become something that I didn't think was necessary, but I also feel much more confident in explaining an alternate way to explore our "church" life.&nbsp; I was very impressed with your story and your journey.&nbsp; Thank you for writing this book and for allowing it to be made available for the kindle.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Blessings to you and your community.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Todd [Last name removed by request]<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/elysiansky">PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF "THIS IS MY BODY" HERE&gt;</a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://mybody.16s.me/">DOWNLOAD A FREE EBOOK VERSION HERE&gt;</a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-22924028764238661682012-02-10T14:42:00.000-08:002012-02-11T10:53:24.341-08:00BOOK REVIEW BY RAD ZDERO<strong style="font-family: Calibri;">A REFRESHING LOOK AT GOD’S ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR THE CHURCH</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xySIWRskvHY/TzWc7IJ8FsI/AAAAAAAABeM/UhXumeFjc3U/s1600/rad-zdero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xySIWRskvHY/TzWc7IJ8FsI/AAAAAAAABeM/UhXumeFjc3U/s1600/rad-zdero.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keith Giles’ book <em>“This Is My Body: Ekklesia As God Intended”</em> is 167 pages long, it has a foreword by well known house church leader Dr. Jon Zens, and it has several pages at the end of recommended resources. Its main premise is that God actually has an original intention for the church, as prophesied in the OT and as described in the NT, which we would do well to consider once again as modern day Christians. </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From a scriptural and practical point of view, the book challenges the method and the mentality of the traditional/denominational church system, and calls us all back to God’s original design for Christ’s body.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are a number of strengths to this work. I found myself metaphorically nodding in agreement on a number of points. It is very easy to read and could be considered almost a “conversational theology” on the house church movement. There are some personal stories, feelings, and thoughts the author gives, rather than just “theory”, which makes it a very accessible and practical book. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Giles provides a generous tone toward the institutional church and those who might disagree with him on some scriptural interpretations. Giles, however, does demonstrate a clear conviction that the New Testament does provide an actual model for the church’s form and function. One thing I found particularly interesting is Giles Old Testament analysis about prophecies concerning the nature of the Church to come, which is something that is almost never discussed in most simple, organic, house church books, which usually stick to the New Testament only. There is also an excellent contrast between what the New Testament church is and is not, as well as an excellent teaching and encouragement of the priesthood of ALL saints. I also appreciated much about his scriptural analysis about local and translocal leadership in the church.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are several areas, however, I wish could have been addressed better. I felt that Giles’ discussion on several issues was not entirely convincing to me (and sometimes was absent), such as the decision making and organizing role of apostles and elders/pastors/overseers (ex. Acts 15:6,23; 1 Tim 3:4,5), the teaching and rebuking role of leaders (1 Tim 4:11, 5:17; 2 Tim 3:16,17; Titus 2:15), and the need for larger public meetings and cohesive networks of multiple house churches like in Jerusalem in Solomon’s Porch or in Ephesus (ex. Acts 2:41-47, 5:12, 5:42, 20:20). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, I felt there was too much fuss made against things like bank accounts, technology, etc, as tools to accomplish the tasks of the church. In light of Giles’ prior role as an ordained denominational pastor, it may be understandable that he is perhaps reacting a little too much to things that remind him of the institution, but in time perhaps he may come to a more moderate view on these items.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, this is a refreshing book on the growing house church movement, it offers some personal and practical insights, it provides a fresh look at the scriptures about the form and function of the church, and it would be a good introductory read to those asking questions about whether God is calling them into this spiritual revolution. I give it at 4 out of 5 stars.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Rad Zdero&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">RAD ZDERO, author of LETTERS TO THE HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT and THE GLOBAL HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT , www.scribd.com/rzdero, www.twitter.com/radzdero, www.facebook.com/radzdero</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-60092006511091398292011-08-17T06:59:00.000-07:002012-02-10T20:13:33.968-08:00Book Review: Josh MorganKeith Giles, an organic/house church advocate who offers all of his books for free electronically, recently released This is My Body: Ekklesia as God Intended. First off, this book is a very easy read. The way Giles separates the chapters makes it feel like you are moving the book quickly and easily. <br /><br />The book itself is intended to examine a biblical basis for what the institutional church and worldwide Church should look like. Long story short, Giles provides a wonderful, well-thought-out argument for the priesthood of all believers in a way that is accessible to most people (rather than heavy theological language). He notes important implications for what that looks like institutionally, including the lack of hierarchy. One of my deep spiritual/ecclesiastical values is an egalitarian organization, so I really appreciate the many angles Giles approaches this, from the role of pastor to the relevance of a "spiritual covering." There are so many wonderful things he says that I could elaborate on, but that would take forever and probably be redundant with his work. :) <br /><br />There were a couple of parts that I struggled with. At one point, Giles mentions that he so dislikes it when churches raise so much money to put into creating or buying buildings rather than going to people. His rationale for this is wonderful, and I agree. When I was an elder at The Gathering, we talked about ways to make sure all of our income would go back out, which is what Giles' community succeeds at. <br /><br />At the same time, I can and have seen the value of larger communities (Giles argues for very small groups) and church campuses. I grew up in small church communities and am currently drawn to the philosophy of house/organic churches. At the same time, I have been a part of some very large congregations lately. Particularly as one has been in the news lately in part because of poor financial planning related to their building, I have seen first-hand how much time, energy, and money goes into buying and maintaining church property. A lot of time, energy, and money that could go into people. <br /><br />At the same time, my wife and I have come to appreciate the opportunities available with a larger congregation. While a lot of money may flow into administrative and building costs, these communities provide a lot of services to the world around them that smaller groups could not do. While the churches themselves may spend less on administration and building if they were small and without a building, then other organizations and businesses would have to pick up the slack on service. This might not happen at all. When it does, it usually occurs with non-profits, who also will often rely on donations and have the same administrative and building costs as churches. They frequently have more, as churches can often more easily be staffed by volunteers. In the end, more money may reach people if the institutional church does the work and includes the overhead. I get and agree with Giles' philosophy, but practically, biblical times were quite different than modern times when it comes to interpersonal service. <br /><br />Further, church buildings can be services in themselves. While I hate the waste of space many sanctuaries are, many well-planned buildings can and are used for many activities and offered to the community to use. Further, appropriately thought-out buildings can teach spiritual stories and inspire people to go out and serve more. Yes, it is difficult to watch tens of millions of dollars go into a new building when people are starving. Yet what is the cost if that new building becomes a refuge for people to relax and become rejuvenated to then go out and help those starving neighbors? While I am very much a utilitarian with many things, I have come to value the importance of space that is life-giving. I've been to more utilitarian church buildings and those that are intended to be a sanctuary. I am much more open to people after spending time in the latter. <br /><br />The other part I struggled with was a section on women leaders. Giles argues for the equality of women in the church with some excellent arguments. But then he ends by stating, "However, the authority to rebuke or confront a believer caught in sin seems to rest on those male elders and overseers who were recognized as having a Fatherly position within the Body" (p. 142). This statement stood out in stark contrast to the rest of this section and his book, which all provided examples and support for his claims. While the complementarian/egalitarian debate was not really the issue here, this statement just seemed unsupported. <br /><br />While I spent most of my time here on the parts I did not fully agree with, they were actually relatively minor parts of the book. For anyone interested in organic church models and thoughts on hierarchy in ecclesiology, I highly recommend this book. <br /><br />Josh Morgan <br />** <br /><br /><br />Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-73170031060802843082011-08-09T08:40:00.001-07:002011-08-09T08:43:30.059-07:00Review by Ken EastburnAbout a month ago I began reading my copy of This is My Body by my friend Keith Giles. As I read the first chapter I began to realize that this is an important book not only for me personally but for the entire church and for the growing house church movement.
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<br />There has been so much emphasis on the New Testament Church model and little understanding that this was God’s ultimate design all along for the beginning of creation.
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<br />During the time that I was reading This is My Body I was also preparing for a trip to the North of Ghana, West Africa. I have been working with “simple” church planters in Ghana for the last few years. They are using the simple/house church model in villages and other areas where it is almost impossible to raise the funds for a church building. Since the population of northern Ghana is about 95% Muslim the average villager is very hesitant to convert to Christianity.
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<br />As I read This is My Body I realized how well it would fit with the training I would be doing. So, I spent the next two weeks reading and preparing for the leadership-training seminar that my team and I were to conduct.
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<br />When I arrived in Ghana I was a little perplexed to hear that our seminar had been reduced from two days to one. But, being the rainy season here it would be difficult for many leaders to travel two days.
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<br />For the first session I used the first section of the book to establish the meaning of the Temple and the Old Testament Jewish system. It then became very easy to make the leap to the reality that these were shadows of what was to come. After looking at various passages in the Bible I divided them into groups to discuss the implications that this had for the church in Ghana. We also spent some time talking about the Priesthood of all Believers. It led to a lively debate about the need or lack of need for a church building. Since almost every village here has a mosque and almost every believer a former Muslim, the goal to have a building is the norm, much like in America.
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<br />For the second session I used the New Testament Leadership section of This is My Body. I started the session by asking how many leaders we had in the room. Every hand went up. Then I asked how many followers were present. There were a few hands raised and some embarrassing giggling that followed.
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<br />The concept of a hierarchical leadership system is very powerful in Ghana. Every village has a chief and we have learned that the first thing we do when arriving is to visit the chief and ask for his permission to be there. Pastors are well respect in Ghana and are used to being at the top of the pyramid. Some of them did not accept the fact that they were not the head of the church even after establishing that Jesus is the head.
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<br />At one point as we discussed leadership submission I brought a pastor up in front of the room to stand next to me. Then I asked the group, since we are both pastors, should I submit to him or the other way around? I then told them that if he came to me for help or advice then I would be honored to ascend to the highest point in the room. I then knelt down at his feet and looked up at him. I told him that it would be my honor to help him do whatever Jesus was asking him to do. This was a very difficult thing for most of them to grasp. One man even stood up and said that it would be good if we both knelt, but not one to another. I have to give credit to my friend Thomas Wynn for this illustration that I have seen him use before.
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<br />In the end I believe that this teaching is what God wanted to bring to these leaders in Ghana. There were a couple of times when there were so many hands up in the room and people speaking over each other that it got pretty chaotic. But it was a lively conversation and incredibly fun to lead.
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<br />I highly recommend reading This is My Body. Since I was dissecting it to find the parts to emphasis for my presentation I had the opportunity of reading most of it several times. I contacted Keith before leaving for Africa to ask permission to share the material and add my own examples and illustrations. I believe that this book has the potential to be used to train church planters all over the world in the world.
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<br /><em>Ken Eastburn is the founder and lead servant at The Well, a house church network throughout Orange County, California and at various other places across the USA. Find out more at </em><a href="http://thewellglobal.com/">THE WELL GLOBAL</a>
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<br />**Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-74061014250117809272011-08-02T17:11:00.000-07:002011-08-02T17:11:01.005-07:00Reader Review: Brent KollmansbergerHey Keith,<br /> <br />I took your book with me on vacation and really enjoyed it. The Lord definitely guided you on the tone, which enabled you to present challenging and provocative concepts without your tone being challenging or provocative. I think it will help someone who is being guided by the Holy Spirit to explore this paradigm shift without becoming overly defensive. <br /> <br />As for me, it helped clarify in my mind what the priesthood of the believer is all about. Not just that all believers are part of the Body and have a real role to play, but that we are the priest, the temple and the living sacrifice. <br /> <br />Amen.<br /> <br />Thanks,<br /> <br />Brent KollmansbergerKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-48491200661586933102011-07-21T23:07:00.000-07:002011-07-21T23:09:35.394-07:00FOLLOW-UP RADIO INTERVIEW ABOUT "THIS IS MY BODY"My second radio interview with Randall and Stacy Harp of Active Christian Media about my book, "This Is My Body:Ekklesia as God Intended" is up now.<br /><br />Listen<br /><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/acmedia/2011/07/21/acm-live--guest-keith-giles--the-state-of-the-church">HERE</a><br /><br />-kgKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-15919810512557231302011-07-02T07:02:00.000-07:002011-07-02T07:02:00.685-07:00Giving?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAsrJWhMbzQ/TgqH4sGp3RI/AAAAAAAABHo/6g281vXhOYg/s1600/giving.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAsrJWhMbzQ/TgqH4sGp3RI/AAAAAAAABHo/6g281vXhOYg/s320/giving.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623456492706979090" /></a><br /><br /><br />*image courtesy of Scott Laumann, used by permission.<br /><a href="http://www.scottlaumann.com">www.scottlaumann.com</a>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-90313868282277491352011-07-01T06:26:00.000-07:002011-07-01T06:26:01.262-07:00CHURCH=MAKING DISCIPLES (Video)<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wgg2KYdMpqc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-78362660108850532802011-06-30T06:38:00.000-07:002011-06-30T06:38:00.635-07:00READER REACTION: Michael Cooper[About your book] I really loved it and recommended it to everyone in our organic home church. We've had to miss a few meetings due to two families vacations but we came together tonight and briefly discussed it. Three people didn't finish it yet and they have printed it out on paper to finish reading it instead of on the computer for when we next meet. <br /> <br />I must say that your perspective filled in a few gaps missing from all the other works I've read so far. No one can completely cover any subject about Yahweh so I enjoyed your explanations and insights tremendously.<br /><br />Anyway, thank you for your service to God and the work you do. Whether we ever meet in person here on this side of Heaven or not until the other side, I'm glad to be serving with you I this. <br /> <br />Michael Cooper<br />**<br />DOWNLOAD A FREE E-BOOK VERSION OF "THIS IS MY BODY: EKKLESIA AS GOD INTENDED" <br /><a href="http://mybody.16s.me/">HERE</a><br /><br /><br />**Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-35532789986899736212011-06-29T06:37:00.000-07:002011-06-29T06:37:00.160-07:00READER REACTION: Paul LuttrellI finished your book, and loved what you had to say. As I read, I could not help but think of all the people I know who would benefit greatly from your thoughts. <br /><br />After receiving it from you Thursday night, I was 1/2 way finished by 5:30 the next morning. <br /><br />Don't stop "bringing it" to us.<br /> <br />-Paul LuttrellKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-68525452716890752412011-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:002014-04-22T10:23:05.103-07:00FRANCIS CHAN: NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TFTHxZx5VDs?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br />Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-86963333604605356272011-06-27T06:20:00.000-07:002011-06-27T06:20:00.528-07:00Reader Reaction from South AfricaHi Keith<br /> <br />In South Africa I'm finding extremely limited amount of resources in regard to organic/simple church. Thank you so much for your ebook (This Is My Body:Ekklesia as God Intended). It has affirmed so much in my own heart and it is a great resource. What I enjoyed about it is the manner in which you condensed and affirmed much of what Frank Viola and Felicity Dale have said in this regard. I'm referring others to this book for this reason. <br /> <br />If I may add some thoughts out of my reading this morning from Matt.9:14-17. If organic/simple church is a new wine, it would explain why existing church structures cannot contain the fermentation of this new wine. The existing structures have already been stretched, possibly to their limit. They have the inability to contain this new wine due to their inflexibility. Because the structures are already in place, there would be no accommodation for this type of flexibility and unpredictability of organic church.<br /> <br />There will be those who would try to accommodate this idea - they would be a type of reformer where they would just move the furniture around in the same house. They would not have a revolutionary mindset where an entirely new house needs to be built.<br /> <br />I came across a saying a while ago; "Man's idea, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."<br /> <br />I hope you don't mind me sending you this via email. I'm one of your 'silent' followers on Twitter and regularly receive your blog post. You will not know how much your thoughts are valued. <br /> <br />Blessings,<br />Your name sake<br />Keith McLachlan<br />KwaZulu Natal, AfricaKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-85116586994640089802011-06-26T06:50:00.000-07:002011-06-26T06:50:00.401-07:00UnInstitutional by Jon Zens (Guest Article)We expect the proliferation of institutions and hierarchies in the human realm — business, government, the military, education. But there is no place for such things in the Lord’s ekklesia because it is not a human organization. It is a spiritual temple whose Builder and Maker is Christ.<br /><br />Probably most of us have been part of some group in school, college, church or society that started out with excitement and verve, but after a period of time ended up in stagnancy and micro-management. The members found themselves maintaining the shell when in fact the original vibrancy was gone.<br /><br />Bob Lupton makes some astute observations along these lines in his article, “The Cycle of Life.” However, there is one fatal flaw in the article: he assumes that when a group moves from its organic beginnings to its institutionalization that it somehow always remains organic. Not so. Becoming established as an institution is a retrogression that kills organic life. Listen carefully to what Bob says:<br /><br />The Western church is in such a decline. Viewed against the backdrop of history, however, the current demise of denominations is predictable. In time, all institutions follow a similar pattern. They begin as fresh movements, new and exciting, abundant with vision and creativity. But in order to survive, a movement must development structural strength – mission statement, doctrinal distinctives, leadership structure, decision-making processes.<br /><br />Vigorous change takes place during this organizational phase as a seedling becomes established, sinking its roots and spreading its branches. Staff are hired, budgets are created, policies are instituted, goals and objectives are set, property is purchased. As the organization matures it becomes a source of security for its employees. Health insurance, vacation pay, cost of living raises, retirement benefits are negotiated. Gradually the mission shifts from the founding visionaries to hired employees and with each subsequent ring of management the passion that originally inspired the movement becomes slightly diluted. Marketing, management, and funding consume increasing amounts of organizational energy. With its own sturdy root system, it now commands its fair share of sunlight and space on the forest floor.<br /><br />By the time the organization enters the institutional phase of its development, it is fully vested in its own self-preservation. Instead of a movement spending itself on behalf of a noble cause, it has become a respectable institution consumed with preserving its own viability and legacy. It may still use the same stirring language of its past movement days, and it may still perform important work, but it spends the lion’s share of its energy on buildings, communication systems, internal politics and self-promotion to ensure its longevity. Good stewardship demands its preservation. It is the way of all institutions” (Bob Lupton, “Cycle of Life,” September, 2010, http://fcsministries.org/urban-perspectives/page/2/).<br /><br /><br />I think an overview of human history would justify the observation that people have a propensity to move from simple beginnings to bureaucratic mazes at the end of the day. This is certainly what occurred as history moved on from the early church to the post-apostolic church.<br /><br />Take the Lord’s Supper, for example. What began as believers remembering the Lord in a simple meal morphed into a complicated liturgical “sacrament” which had to be officiated by a specially ordained religious person. Emil Brunner documented many such occasions where simplicity was overtaken by complexity in The Misunderstanding of the Church (1952).<br /><br />James D.G. Dunn noted that “increasing institutionalism is the clearest mark of early Catholicism,” and that “such features were absent from first generation Christianity, though in the second generation the picture was beginning to change” (Unity & Diversity in the New Testament, Westminster Press, 1977, p. 351). Bob Lupton suggests that “in order to survive, a movement must development structural strength – mission statement, doctrinal distinctives, leadership structure, decision-making processes.” These are the crucial questions we must face: Must the communal life of Christ in believers be institutionalized in order to survive? Was the movement from early church simplicity to later church bureaucracy inevitable and good, or a terrible distortion and tragedy?<br /><br />The truth is that in our practice we have tried to institutionalize the living Christ. That which is organic cannot thrive in an institutional environment. The DNA does not match. Of course, it must be said that there are people in many church-institutions who are expressions of the living Christ. But the living Christ is not a fit for institutional structures. It would be like hoping that an orchid would flourish in a barren desert, or that a cactus would do well in a rainforest.<br /><br />If we believe that the simplicity of Christ is truth worth continuing, then we must resist our tendency toward institutionalism with every fiber of our being. If believers were satisfied with Jesus Christ alone, institutions wouldn’t have a chance of taking over.<br /><br />Frederick Buechner pointed out that churches could learn a lot from support groups like AA. They do not own buildings and have virtually no overhead. “They make you wonder,” he went on to say, “if the best thing that could happen to many a church might not be to have its building burn down and to lose all its money. Then all that the people would have left would be God and each other” (cited in my A Church Building Every ½ Mile: What Makes American Christianity Tick? 2008, p.72).<br /><br />Mary Pipher perceptively noted, “Too often [health] institutions are about the needs of the institution, not of the patients” (Another Country, 2000, p. 167). Jesus did not come to start another religious institution with every candle and pulpit in its proper place. By giving his life in crucifixion, taking his life back in resurrection, returning to Father by his ascension, and pouring out his Spirit on the day of Pentecost – he assured that his people would express his life in them as the Body of Christ on earth – organically, not as an institution. <br />– Jon Zens<br /><br />**<br />Originally appeared on Jon Zens' personal blog. Republished here with permission.<br />Visit Jon's blog<br /><a href="http://www.searchingtogether.org/blog/?p=28">HERE</a>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-26151551755434253842011-06-25T07:42:00.000-07:002011-06-25T07:42:00.862-07:00Steven G. Owen Responds to My BookKeith, thank you for presenting how the New Testament church is supposed to function, in a way that the Lord originally ordained. Using the Old Testament references and tying them into the New Testament in showing how God always intended to build his church was great. <br /><br />I have a great appreciation for what the Lord is doing in his church and your book is a great tool for those who want know more about the Body of Christ.<br /><br />There is definitely a voice on the hill declaring the truth and you are one of them.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Steven G. OwenKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-64377979377996890052011-06-24T06:44:00.000-07:002011-06-24T06:44:00.733-07:00CRAIGSLIT AD: CHURCH GOING OUT OF BUSINESS<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0HBLu8zx6Y/TgDLgHB7YAI/AAAAAAAABHM/tvjiSw3LmL4/s1600/churchOUTOFBIZ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0HBLu8zx6Y/TgDLgHB7YAI/AAAAAAAABHM/tvjiSw3LmL4/s320/churchOUTOFBIZ.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620716087461765122" /></a><br /><br />GOING OUT OF BUSINESS<br />The Christian Church in America is (finally) going out of business.<br />EVERYTHING MUST GO!<br /><br />The Christian Church needs to liquidate all worldly assets including:<br />*The pulpit<br />*The building<br />*The giant screen plasma televisions<br />*Even the pastor!<br /><br />DETAILS:<br /><br />WHEN: As soon as the Christian Church realizes that God doesn’t live in temples built by human hands. (Acts 17:24)<br /><br />WHY: Because every believer is already the living temple of God and priests in His Kingdom. (1 Peter 2:5)<br /><br />HOW: By the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />For more information, download a free e-book<br /><a href="http://mybody.16s.me/">HERE</a><br /><br /><br /><em>“When the Greeks got the Gospel, they turned it into a philosophy; when the Romans got it, they turned it into a government; when the Europeans got it, they turned it into a culture; and when the Americans got it, they turned it into a business.” <br />– Richard Halverson</em>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-10003311163733336612011-06-23T06:16:00.000-07:002011-06-23T06:16:00.819-07:00LISTEN: Radio Interview with Stacy & Randall Harp<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase='http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0' width='210' height='105' name="123647" id="123647"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Facmedia%2F2011%2F06%2F23%2Facm-live--house-church-or-traditional-church%23%2Fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Facmedia%2F2011%2F06%2F23%2Facm-live--house-church-or-traditional-church%23%2fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="123647" id="123647" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><div style="font-size: 10px;text-align: center; width:220px;"> Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/acmedia">acmedia</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-6804846504171542542011-06-22T18:21:00.000-07:002011-06-22T18:21:15.840-07:00Review: Crissy Brooks<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FE0CChjkHBg/TgFKfvWh7RI/AAAAAAAABHU/Yda2ki5eu2Y/s1600/CRISSY_BROOKS_.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FE0CChjkHBg/TgFKfvWh7RI/AAAAAAAABHU/Yda2ki5eu2Y/s320/CRISSY_BROOKS_.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620855719082454290" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Keith Giles’ latest gift, <em>This is My Body: Ekklesia As God Intended</em> is an invitation to be the family that the Church was meant to be. In a time when it is hip to be down on church and many of us are sure we can plant the next great congregation, Giles speaks softly, calling us back to the Scriptures and the One who first invited us to partake at the table together. <br /><br />In the last decade we have been barraged with well-intentioned models and plans to get Church right. This book is not another model. It is an important reminder to the people of God of who we are to be as His people and how we are to act in the world. This book is a gift from a prophetic leader who has lived out the teachings of Jesus for decades and lucky for us, shares his discoveries here. Had this book been written by anyone else, I am sure I would not have picked it up. But I know Keith Giles. I have seen him make intentional choices to be The Body with and in his community. I have witnessed his Spirit inspired creativity and experienced his empowering influence. <br /><br />When the temptation could have been strong to breakdown all that is wrong, Giles instead leads us with grace and gentleness through the Scriptures outlining the design of the Body of Christ. When it could have been so easy to be sarcastic, Giles instead points out what should have been obvious as if opening a door and letting light in. While there is plenty of material to bash church leadership, Giles instead invites us to imagine what leadership in the Body could be when we fully understand the Word and stop justifying our misguided traditions.<br /><br />While Giles’s style is one of grace and invitation the book does not shy away from the controversies that have torn Christ’s Body a part in the past. With clear truth and studied evidence, Giles calls out the abuses and selfishness that have worked in our favor and harmed so many. He challenges the hierarchy and business we have come to accept as necessities and in the process holds up the good we should cling to.<br /><br /><em>This is My Body</em> gives a clear call for us to “go out of business” and be the Family outlined in the New Testament. Perhaps the most beautiful part of this book is the invitation to live in the mystery of The Body of Christ. Giles fully challenges us without sending us running. He sheds light on such a beautiful Bride that I am drawn in more deeply and vow again to live in a mystery of family, love, submission, provision, grace and healing. This book gives me courage to hope that the Body of Christ really can transform our world. <br /><br />-Crissy Brooks Executive Director & Co-Founder of <a href="http://mikacdc.org/">Mika CDC</a><br />Crissy grew up in Costa Mesa and has come to love her city deeply. Her leadership development journey began in the Brooks’ home as the daughter of a police captain and PTA president. Her faith and leadership were further shaped by involvement in her Church. Her youth pastor, Mark Orphan is highly influential in her life and along with Laura Johnson and Lindsy Harris, they founded Mika in 2003. Through her studies at Azusa Pacific University, three years living in Caracas, Venezuela, and now engaging with immigrant neighbors, Crissy has developed a love for Latino culture. She lives in the Shalimar neighborhood with two amazing roommates and one crazy dog. They like to run together and connect over long drawn out breakfasts on Saturdays.<br /><br />Crissy also writes a regular column for the Daily Pilot newspaper called "A View From the Mesa".Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-73438951970720279782011-06-22T06:34:00.000-07:002011-06-22T09:09:58.626-07:00Frank Viola Reviews "This Is My Body""Skimmed it. Looks good." <br /><br />- Frank Viola, author of “Pagan Christianity”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*<br />*<br />NOTE: For those of you who are comedicly-challenged, this is a joke. Also, the sky is blue, grass is green and money does not grow on trees.Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-91708752518895933552011-06-21T06:16:00.000-07:002011-06-21T06:16:00.265-07:00ADVICE ON STARTING A HOUSE CHURCHI received an email from an old friend who is seeking advice on how to start a house church group among college students. He asked me, "What would Keith do?"<br /><br />This is an intriguing question and I realized I haven't published a lot of my ideas on this anywhere so here's a bit of what I said to my friend.<br /><br />Honestly, I lean towards a "less is more" approach and I'm usually reticent to give people step by step instructions. However, I'd basically suggest gathering those who are interested in this together and sharing a meal together (potluck), sharing communion together, and sharing from their actual lives what God has been teaching them in their daily walk with Christ.<br /><br />Our house church follows this general pattern based on 1 Cor 14:26 - <em>"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."</em><br /><br />So, our assumption is that everyone in our house church is already a follower of Jesus. Most of them, like me, have grown up in Church and have heard thousands of sermons and bible studies and can fill in the blanks on any discussion on the Scriptures. What we're not so great at is actually putting all of this into actual practice in our daily lives.<br /><br />The purpose of our house church is to encourage and motivate everyone to live out their personal mission and calling according to their individual gifting. It's different for all of us. So, we don't tell them what it is, we help them to discover it and then we encourage one another every time we gather to continue living out that personal mission.<br /><br />When we gather each week we all bring something to share - food and encouragement. During the share time I try to keep my mouth shut and allow people to talk. I also try to make sure that everyone is given equal time to speak and I try to keep us on target with encouraging one another in our walk with Christ. (This means re-directing complaints, gripes, politics, etc. to the end for prayer, or for another time).<br /><br />In general, I'd suggest empowering people and not attempting to control or direct people.<br /><br />For me, one of the most amazing things has been discovering that when Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth, and when Paul and Peter said that we were the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the priesthood of believers, they were all dead serious.<br /><br />In our house church we have kids who open their Bibles and their mouths and speak such words of simple truth that only God could have revealed it to them. Sure, we have to safeguard the essentials of our faith, and there are times when I may have to speak up and correct a misconception theologically, but most of the time I'm the one who is learning from the Holy Spirit through everyone else in the room.<br /><br />It can be very challenging for someone like me (and maybe you as well) with a gift to teach and a heart to preach to actually shut our mouths, invite the Holy Spirit and then just wait quietly in the uncomfortable silence for Him to speak. But, I'm telling you, if you can, and if you will, He actually does...and it's pretty amazing.<br /><br />I've written a few things about my philosophy of house church at the links below. Take a look over at <a href="http://www.OCHouseChurch.com">www.OCHouseChurch.com</a>Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-66732566873814644552011-06-20T22:08:00.001-07:002011-06-20T22:09:24.086-07:00Six Things You Need To Start A Traditional ChurchHere are six things you need to start a traditional church in America today: <br /><br />1) Money - Lots of it. One church-planter suggested it would take as much as $18,000 to get started.<br /><br />Another pastor emptied his savings account and spent $50,000 of his own money to start his church and some have suggested it could be as high as $8 Million.<br /><br />Of course, depending on the size of your church, and your paid stafff, your numbers may vary.<br /><br />2) Trained Professional Pastor - At least one charismatic, credentialed teaching pastor and visionary is necessary if you want to start a church. Chances are if you're seriously thinking about planting a church this person is you. Go ahead and check that one off your list.<br /><br />3) Worship Leader and Worship Band - They should be made up of talented, experienced and professional-level musicians and largely volunteers, except perhaps for the worship leader who may receive a minor stipend each month.<br /><br />4) A Building - Whether you rent, lease or decide to purchase a building you cannot have a successful traditional church without a building large enough to grow into. Must have a nursery, children's Sunday School rooms, and youth area.<br /><br />5) Volunteers - Lots of them. These will be the people who handle child-care, set-up, tear-down and clean-up, and ushering. You cannot have a successful traditional church without a small army of loyal and dedicated volunteers.<br /><br />6) Marketing - A website is a given, but you might also invest in postcards, door-hangers, invitation cards, bumper stickers and outdoor signage to attract the unchurched, or those who are shopping for a new church. Let them know your'e there or you will die a quick, yet painful, death.<br /><br />*Notice that nearly all of these things are focused on developing the Church itself. Almost none of it is directed at making disciples, developing the spiritual health of those alongside you, or loving people in the community. <br /><br /><strong>Three Things You Need To Start A Typical House Church</strong><br /><br />1) People - At least one other person than yourself.<br /><br />2) God - Be sure to invite the Holy Spirit every time you meet and then wait for Him to speak and lead you.<br /><br />3) A Place to meet - It could be a living room, a park, a coffeehouse, or any place large enough for the people who gather.<br /><br />*Notice that having trained leaders, volunteers, thousands of dollars and an army of volunteers is greatly reduced. Also notice that worship leaders, buildings and marketing are completely unnecessary.<br /><br />Just thought I'd share this with everyone.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />KeithKeith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5720667399850486453.post-89845777249128204592011-06-17T02:09:00.000-07:002011-06-17T02:09:00.481-07:00Charles Spurgeon on Organic Church"I want you to notice this, that they were breaking bread from house to house, and ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart. They did not think that religion was meant only for Sundays, and for what men now-a-days call the House of God. Their own houses were houses of God, and their own meals were so mixed and mingled with the Lord's Supper that to this day the most cautious student of the Bible cannot tell when they stopped eating their common meals, and when they began eating the Supper of the Lord. They elevated their meals into diets for worship: they so consecrated everything with prayer and praise that all around them was holiness to the Lord. I wish our houses were, in this way, dedicated to the Lord, so that we worshipped God all day long, and made our homes temples for the living God."<br />-An excerpt from Charles H. Spurgeon's sermon entitled "Building the Church" concerning Acts 2 which he gave on April 5, 1874. <br /><br /><br />*Thanks to Neil Cole and CMA Resources for finding this one.Keith Gileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00328300571647154699noreply@blogger.com0